Sep 44

History > Statistical Data > Missing Air Crew Reports

September, 1944

The ground war had been making steady progress; Paris had been retaken and liberated; the general feeling was that the war would be over by Christmas. A setback came late in the month with Operation MARKET-GARDEN, a bold venture to seize several key bridges up the main avenue of attack with the goal being the Arnham bridge over the Rhine River - access to Germany itself. The British 1st Airborne, with a Polish contingent, jumped into Arnham only to find it occupied by an SS Panzer unit with supporting infantry. The British soon found themselves having to pull back, having found that they went "a bridge too far".

The 445th was to have its blackest day on the 27th with the disaster at Kassel. Thirty-five B-24's, having gotten themselves separated from the main bomber force, pushed on alone. they were confident that the Luftwaffe had been sufficiently destroyed as to be no factor. This over confidence doomed thirty-one of the planes and their crews to destruction or severe battle damage. For more detailed information regarding the Kassel mission, please visit the Kassel Mission Historical Society's website.